London has been battered by 50mph winds that have felled trees and caused travel chaos. Powerful gusts swept across the capital as the Met Office issued a yellow "be aware" weather alert for most of the country.

AGA orders are up 15% so far this year, as families moving home are upgrading to the ovens which cost several thousand pounds.

A new, dual-control oven, which does not need to be switched on all day unlike previous models, has sold well since it was launched in 2011, taking more than half of all new sales.

Bosses have previously blamed the housing-market slowdown and increase in rentals for poor sales as potential customers have delayed moving home and buying the pricey cookers which can cost up to £10,000.

The company is also looking at new markets and revealed it expects to launch its first sales in China in collaboration with Chinese business Vatti as soon as early next year.